How to stay safe and reduce the risk of an apex predator encounter

News of an adult surfer’s narrow escape at Cabarita Beach in northern NSW this week has raised questions about managing the risk of shark encounters in Australian waters.

As the seasons shift, more people will soon be heading to the beach – but how can swimmers and young surfers (popularly known as “grommets”) stay safe from sharks when visiting the country’s coastline?

WHERE IN AUSTRALIA HAVE THE MOST SHARK ATTACKS BEEN?
Eighty per cent of shark attacks in Australia have occurred in NSW, Queensland and WA, according to Australia Wide First Aid (AWFA)

The most recent encounter was just after 8am on Monday, with surfer Brad Ross escaping unharmed after being attacked by a 4m great white shark.

In photos shared online after the incident, it was revealed the shark had taken a massive bite out of Mr Ross’ surfboard and broken it in two.

Weeks earlier, a 16-year-old boy suffered serious injuries to his right arm and leg after being attacked by a shark while swimming at the same beach.

WHAT MONTH ARE SHARKS MOST ACTIVE IN?
Encounters with sharks often increase as the weather warms up, typically between the months of November and April, reports AWFA.

Bull sharks prefer water temperatures above 20C and are more abundant* in coastal waterways during summer and autumn.

Young white sharks tend to move northward along the NSW coast in late autumn and early winter.

The peak of shark attacks generally coincides* with Christmas, New Year and Easter periods when most Australians take a nice long summer holiday.

WHAT DEPTH OF WATER IS SAFEST?
Most shark attacks occur in offshore* waters, 30 or more metres from the shore, according to WA’s Department of Fisheries.

Attacks are also reported in deeper nearshore* waters between a three to 10m depth range, particularly between sandbars or steep drop-offs*.

But attacks have still occurred in shallow, waist-deep waters, where there is usually more human activity, so stay between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches at all times.

Exit the water quickly whenever you hear a shark alarm.

WHEN SHOULD YOU AVOID SWIMMING?
Ever thought the water looked a bit “sharky”? There are certain times of the day that experts say you should stay out of the water. You should avoid swimming after dusk, during the night or before dawn because these are the main feeding times of sharks. Attacks do happen at other times however – and sharks are spotted at all times of the day.

It’s also best to avoid swimming at river mouths or in murky water where you can’t see what’s around you as well as in and around large schools of baitfish, as these may attract sharks.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO SCARE AWAY A SHARK?
Yes, it’s possible to scare away a shark if you’re unlucky enough to ever come face-to-face with one.

According to the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the most important thing is to keep the shark in sight by maintaining eye contact and moving slowly, leaving the water if possible.

If the shark approaches, use whatever you have with you – a surfboard, dive gear, fishing equipment – to create a barrier between yourself and the animal.

Concentrate on sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose and gills while making sudden movements or splashing to scare the animal.

Devices such as Electronic Shark Deterrents (ESD’s) can be installed on surfboards or other gear as another layer of protection.

ESDs aim to overwhelm the electro-sensory system* of sharks by sending out electrical pulses to repel them.

HOW MANY SHARK ATTACKS HAVE THERE BEEN IN AUSTRALIA IN 2025?
According to the Australian Shark-incident database, as of July 23, there had been 17 reported human interactions with sharks nationwide this year, four of which were with wobbegongs*. Three of the encounters were fatal.

Western Australia recorded seven attacks – including one of the recorded fatalities.

NSW had five interactions with sharks (not including Mr Ross’s most recent encounter). Queensland and South Australia both recorded two attacks, which included a single fatality in each case.

Victoria had one shark interaction this year involving a wobbegong.

Tasmania and the Northern Territory didn’t record any interactions with sharks.

HOW DO DRUMLINES WORK AND WHAT HAPPENS TO SHARKS CAUGHT IN THEM?
Drumlines are baited hooks attached to buoys and anchored off the ocean floor.

They have been set up at many popular swimming spots in the past as a shark control method.

Traditional drumlines have been proven to be harmful to both sharks and other marine life, while newer technologies known as SMART drumlines use satellite technology to alert contractors when a shark is captured, which allows for tagging and potential release.

Target sharks such as bull, tiger and white sharks are tagged and relocated about one kilometre away from the shore.

WHY ARE SHARK NETS BEING REMOVED?
With so many shark attacks occurring recently, a lot of people have become concerned about plans to remove shark nets from some beaches in NSW.

The question of whether to reduce the use of shark nets came about because of the dangers nets pose to other threatened marine species such as turtles, which often become entangled in them.

However, many beachgoers have been questioning whether the need to work toward better animal conservation outweighs the value of a human life. It’s a big question without an easy answer – and is really a matter of philosophical* debate more than anything.

However, with the adoption of more shark-spotting technology such as drone-surveillance and SMART drumlines, hopefully humans and marine life will continue to enjoy the water in more safer ways than ever before.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• abundant: more of them
• coincides: happens around the same time as
• offshore: at sea, some distance from the shore
• nearshore: close to the shore
• drop-offs: where the sand suddenly drops off and the water becomes very deep
• electro-sensory system: sharks have special receptors on their heads and snouts that enable them to detect electrical pulses, which helps them find prey and navigate via the earth’s geomagnetic field
• wobbegongs: bottom dwelling sharks that aren’t generally considered aggressive or dangerous but might bite if accidentally stepped on
• philosophical: concerning the nature of life, knowledge or existence

EXTRA READING
Shark net removal sparks debate
Brave surfer’s one-legged ride
Whale free after daring rescue

QUICK QUIZ
1. During what months do encounters with sharks often increase?
2. In what depth of water do most shark attacks occur?
3. What are ESDs and how do they work?
4. What are two things you can do to try and “scare away” a shark?
5. How many shark attacks had occurred in Australia as of July 23 according to the Australian Shark-incident database?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What’s the best way?
What do you think is the best way to prevent shark attacks? Use information in the story to write a paragraph explaining your ideas. You could choose one of the measures in the story. Your purpose is to be as persuasive as you can.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity.
Curriculum Links: English, Science

2. Extension
Is being attacked by a shark the most likely reason for death or injuries at the beach? Use information from the story and your own ideas to write a list of the top five dangers people can face at the beach, in order of how likely it might be. Next to each danger, write a reason for your choice. Then, use your research skills to see if you were right!

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.